Some pics

Since my cell phone comes with a 3.2 mega pixel built in camera, it is quite convenient for me to take watch pictures whenever I see watches that I am interested in. Some pictures ended up as blog entries here very quickly while others didn’t quite make it and were left on my harddisk drive. Today, I decided to give them a second chance and post them up.

Here we go…

First watch is a Citizen Eco drive. There are several variants of this watch and there seem to be a lot of confusion as to which models come with sapphire crystal and which models do not. I remember one clueless bloke asked me lots of questions about this watch in my guest book recently.

Second watch is a Seiko Type II quartz I saw at K2. This one is probably fished out of Yahoo Japan and somehow ended up at K2. For more info on the Type II quartz, please check out this post at GMT+9.

Next is a picture of the three Alba Riki Watanabe’s taken at Big Time. If I am not wrong, they brought in another batch recently. You can find them at Takashimaya SC.

Next, a Seiko Auto Calendar that I saw at K2. Watch is not working and I was told the local service centre could not repair it. They probably don’t have the parts because it is a Japan domestic model.

Here’s a mass market Citizen automatic. These automatic watches are often sold like commodities. I have seen dealers buying them at Big Time. It was like commodity trading. The latest I was told about these watches is that production quantity will be reduced and prices are going up.

And here’s the white dialed variant of the black Orient Star that I got recently. I think the black dialed version is more legible.

Last but not least, a Casio Duro with orange hour markers and bezel markings. These are rated 200m but not ISO certified divers. Here’s my previous post on the Casio: http://yeomanseiko.spaces.live.com/blog/cns!3318BA07329CD633!1929.entry

Blue Samurai SBDA003

As promised, here’s a better picture of my blue Samurai SBDA003.

The watch is pretty light and is suitable to be put on a 2 ring nylon band.

Click on the image to see full size picture

Mine was produced in June 2008 as indicated by its serial number.

Samurai 生産終了？

Sunday evening in Singapore…. enjoying my new watch, the blue Samurai.

The Ti Samurai series is said to be out of production according to sources in Japan. Not sure how true it is but I managed to get hold of the blue dialed SBDA003 to complete my collection.
 
Below is a quick and dirty cell phone shot. Better pics to come later.

生産終了？

Other Orient Watches

Other than those Orients that I have posted in my previous entries, here are some that I have handled.

First, a Orient Star classic with GMT hand. Styling is similar vintage Seiko 6117 worldtime models.

WZ0081FE

Next, a ladies automatic model that I have posted before here. This one is the stainless steel version.

CDBAB004W

Another ladies automatic but with round case.

CDB01003T

And here’s a sporty Orient with worldtime bezel. Looks like a chronograph but it’s not. Those subdials are power reserve, date and second.

WZ0011FZ

Last but not least, some Marcus Gronholm models on display at Big Time.

CFT00007Y

My second Orient Star

In the last few weeks, I have handled and wrote reviews and writeups of several Orient watches. In fact, this blog almost turned into a Orient blog.  

With so many Orients passing through my hands, purchasing the 300m diver alone doesn’t do justice to this fine brand. I gotta add an Orient Star dress watch to my collection and this simple yet classical one caught my eyes.

This is supposed to be a watch that I will review just like the previous ones but I have decided to keep it.

Watch came with a nice bracelet but I have put it on a leather strap to suit my preference. Photo is tweaked to look oldish but I’m sure those who are familiar with Orient Star will have no problem recognizing this beauty.

So, I now have two Orient Stars, the 300m diver and this one.
 

Click on the image to see full size picture

Marcus Gronholm 2007 Limited Edition by Orient

For those in Singapore, the WRC2007 Marcus Gronholm and BP-Ford Manufacturers Champion Limited Edition watch is now available at Big Time. I didn’t purchase the watch but managed to get hold of one for some photos.

Model# CDB04001D0
Click on the image to see full size picture

Here is a blog entry I made on this watch:
http://yeomanseiko.spaces.live.com/blog/cns!3318BA07329CD633!1838.entry
 

Strap keeper with Marcus Gronholm’s signature

Signed and screw in crown

Display back and S/N on side of case

Underside of strap

 

Rotor – picture courtesy of Orient
 

Orient Star WZ0141FD

Here’s another popular Orient Star model that I had the opportunity to handle. This model comes under the Orient Star Classic line and according to Orient’s website, was released in October 2004, long before my blog came into existence. However, I have been around since then and saw it’s release on the Internet when sellers started to carry them and forumers started to discuss about them. At that time, they even had limited editions that are fitted with orange and blue dial known as Summer Limited Model. I also notice that Orient has updated this series last year with two PVDed models.   

Click on the image to see full size picture

My first impression of the watch is that it is kind of odd because the crown and date window are not located at the usual place. The crown is located at 4 o’clock while the date window is next to the 9 o’clock marker. When I first looked at the watch in person, it looked as if the case was not symmetrical. I guess this was a visual effect created by the power reserve subdial at 1 o’clock and possibly the crown and date window also contributed to the effect. After looking at it for some time, my eyes got used to it and no longer feel that effect.  
 

Dial

If you look at the dial shot above, you will notice that there are diamond shape textures on the dial. The power reserve subdial is also textured. In addition, there are black stripes on the hour markers to make the dial more legible.

The "Orient Star" name and logo is printed in bold on the dial. Orient also has a skinny version as found on the WZ0011EJ.

The case is nicely finished and feels pretty sturdy too. Crown located at 4 o’clock is nicely shaped and is signed with the Orient Star logo.

Watch is fitted with a flat sapphire crystal that even has anti-reflective coating on it according to Orient’s website.
 

Signed crown

Caseback is transparent and there is this bold font Orient Star name and logo stamped on the rotor. It is also painted in gold to make it more visible.

Note that this watch is powered by the 46N44 movement that does not hack or hand wind.
 

Click on the image to see full size picture

Both bracelet and leather strap variants are available. This specimen that I have here comes with a leather strap and a nice Orient Star buckle. Style of the buckle reminds me of the Rolex buckle.

Buckle
 

Having handled this Orient Star as well as the WZ0011EJ, I am beginning to form the impression that these watches are more well made than their Seiko 6R15 Mechanical or Spirit counterparts. For prices similar to the Seiko 6R15’s, Orient certainly offers great value for money with their Orient Star Classics.

Since this model has been in the market for several years, some of you may have purchased it already. My congratulations to you if you already an owner of these Orient Stars.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Orient Star WZ0141FD is provided by:
 

483 Sims Avenue, Singapore 387555
Tel:  6273 3355   Fax:  6278 8929
bigtime@singnet.com.sg
www.chang.com.sg

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Pictures for your reference:

WZ0211FD

WZ0151FD – Pictures are taken from the Internet.

Orient Star WZ0011EJ

This time round, I had the opportunity to handle an Orient Star Classic (model number WZ0011EJ). According to Orient’s website, this watch was released in November 2006. If I remember correctly, it did gather some interest among Japanese watch enthusiasts as it was the first affordable Orient that came with a hack and hand wind movement. That was one year after Seiko released its mechanical Spirit models that are powered by the 6R15 hack and hand wind movement. 
 

 

Click on the image to see full size picture

The watch has a nostalgic look and feel especially this cream colored dial variant that I have here. There are other color variants but this is the color that best suits the design in my opinion.  

The dial is partly textured with the 6,9 and 12 hour markers in Arabic numerals. The other hour markers are bullet shaped. It is hard to tell if the dial is curved even with the watch in my hand. It appears to be curved but it could be visual effect created by the curved edge of the mineral crystal.  

Unlike the movement in the Orient Star 200m and 300m divers, the power reserve indicator on this watch is located right under the 12 o’clock marker. It makes the dial look more symmetrical.
 
The watch case is very nicely finished as you would expect from a watch with a list price of JPY52,500 (5% tax included). In fact, its finishing is better than some Seiko 6R15 models.

Crown is signed with the Orient Star logo and is big enough to get a good grip when hand winding the watch.

Overall, I would say the watch has maintained a mild design even with the power reserve hand and textured dial.

 

    
 
 
Side profile

Watch has transparent caseback that shows the movement within. As you can see, the rotor has some patterns on it as well as the parts under it. Other than these, the finishing of the movement is similar to the Seiko 6R15.
 
Date is set by depressing the pusher at the 2 o’clock position instead of using the crown. That means you only need to pull the crown out to first click position to set to set the time. There is no second click position of the crown here. Notice in the picture above that the date pusher has a sunken surface. It is designed such that you need to use a ballpoint pen or similar tool to depress it. You can’t set the date by depressing it with your finger. I guess the purpose of having this feature is to prevent user from pressing it accidentally. 

I also notice that hand winding part feels tighter and noisier as compared to the Seiko 6R15 movement. 

 

Click on the image to see full size picture
  

Watch comes with a nice solid link oyster style bracelet with solid end pieces. The folding clasp is signed with the Orient Star logo and comes with push button lock.
 

Signed clasp with push button lock
 

Solid end pieces
 

+++++++++++++++++++++++++

Watch is provided by:

483 Sims Avenue, Singapore 387555
Tel:  6273 3355   Fax:  6278 8929
bigtime@singnet.com.sg
www.chang.com.sg

Local News: Louis Vuitton sues City Chain

Here’s a recent watch related litigation case that I have been following. Apparently, LV has sued City Chain, the owner of the Solvil Titus brand over infringement of its trademark. City Chain is a Hong Kong watch retain chain that operates in Hong Kong, Malaysia, China, Singapore and other Asian countries.

Read more in the links below.

LV commences action against City Chain:
http://www.straitstimes.com/Breaking%2BNews/Courts%2Band%2BCrime/Story/STIStory_279471.html

LV wins trademark sue:
http://www.straitstimes.com/Breaking%2BNews/Courts%2Band%2BCrime/Story/STIStory_282788.html

Two more Orient watches that I am going to handle

I am flooded with Orient watches here. Just last month, I bought the Orient Star 300m diver and also handled the 200m diver. Two weeks ago, I reviewed the Orient GMT and last week, I wrote about the Ladies Automatic with mother of pearl dial.

Well, here are two more that I am going to handle. Both watches are Japan domestic models under the Orient Star Classic line. The one on the left has a ‘hack and handwind’ movement and was released in 2006. The other model does not hack and handwind and was released in 2004.
 

WZ0011EJ and WZ0141FD